Hickory Museum of Art facts for kids

The Hickory Museum of Art (HMA) is a cool place in Hickory, North Carolina, where you can see amazing art. It shows art from the 1800s all the way to today. You can also find special art made by self-taught artists from the Southern United States. This museum is North Carolina's second-oldest, opening its doors back in 1944. It's a great spot to learn about art and enjoy creative works!

A Special Award for Museums

The Hickory Museum of Art has a special award called "national accreditation." This award comes from the American Alliance of Museums. It means the museum meets very high standards. Think of it like getting a gold star for being one of the best museums in the country!

Why Accreditation Matters

To get this award, the museum has to study itself for a whole year. Then, experts visit to make sure everything is top-notch. Only about 1,000 out of 35,000 museums in the United States have this special status. HMA first earned this award in 1991 and got it again in 2014. This shows it's a truly great place to visit!

How the Museum Started

The Hickory Museum of Art began in the early 1940s. At that time, Hickory was a growing city. A man named Paul Whitener believed the city needed a place for visual arts. With help from a local business leader, A. Alex Shuford Jr., Whitener gathered people to talk about starting an art group.

First Art Shows

In November 1943, even before it had a building or art collection, the group held its first art show. They borrowed art from local people. About 600 visitors came to see it in an empty office building. In February 1944, the Governor of North Carolina officially recognized the group. Four months later, the Hickory Museum of Art was formally opened. Paul Whitener became its first Director.

Where the Museum Has Been

The museum moved a few times as it grew. For 14 years, it was in a white house on Third Avenue. Later, it moved into an old office building. Here, the museum started art classes and held its yearly School Art Show.

Finding a Permanent Home

By 1984, the museum needed an even bigger space. Buck Shuford, whose family had supported the museum from the start, helped lead a big effort. They raised money to turn the old Hickory High School building into an arts center. In 1986, the renovated building opened. Today, this building is part of the SALT Block. The SALT Block is a cultural center where you can find the Catawba Science Center, the Patrick Beaver Library, and, of course, the Hickory Museum of Art!

What You Can See: The Art Collection

The museum has a "permanent collection" of art. This means these artworks belong to the museum forever. In 1944, the museum bought its very first painting for $140. It was called Burke Mountain, Vermont by Frederick Ballard Williams.

Growing the Collection

Paul Whitener, the first Director, knew many artists in New York City. He focused on buying American art that the museum could afford. Many artists who spent summers in North Carolina also donated their work. Over the years, the collection grew. In 1954, the museum received important works from famous artists like Thomas Cole and Asher Brown Durand.

Types of Art to Explore

Today, the museum has about 1,500 art pieces. You can see paintings from the Hudson River School, American art pottery, glass art, and amazing high-speed photos. There's also art from local artists.

Unique Folk Art

The museum also loves to show "folk art." This is art made by self-taught artists, often from the Southern United States. These artists create unique works that are important to the region's history. In 2004, the museum received over 150 folk art pieces from local collectors. This collection has grown a lot since then. You might see art by people like Howard Finster or Minnie Reinhardt. The museum also has traditional Catawba Valley Pottery, including famous "face jugs."